The Wanderer's Necklace

e hands of Steinar, whereof those of their folk who had been present at the feast could bear witness. He added that if they stood by Stei

lecting another man, a nephew of Steinar's father. Also they sent a present of gold rings in atonement for the wrong which had been done to the hous

reparations to attack Athalbrand on his Island of Lesso. Of all these things Athalbrand learned by his spies, and later, when the warships were being prepared an

and his daughter, Iduna, as he was prepared and able to prove, since he had refused to allow any such marriage. That, therefore, he was ready to outlaw Steinar, who only dwelt with him as an unwelc

who stood with him in this business. At that council, where I was present, some said that the insult could only be was

nt because of my private wrong. Neither do I wish to wreak vengeance upon Steinar, who for many years was my brother, and who has been led away by a woman, as may chance to any one of us and has chanced to many. Therefore I say that my

ecause I had a kind heart and gentleness, also because of the wrongs that I had suffered and for something which they saw in me, which they believed would one day make of me a great skald and a wise leader. When she heard me announce thus p

to shame?" he said. "I say that I ask Athalbrand's blood to wash away that stain, not his gold, and that if need be I will seek

at," I said, flushing, "

ng men sighed for battle, it was agreed that war should be declared on Athalbran

his life. Tell him also that the young lord Olaf refuses his daughter, Iduna, since it has not been the fashion of our House to wed with drabs. Tell Steinar, the woman-thief, that he wou

as you may think. For that wrong full atonement has been offered, and with it the hand of friendship on which you spit. Know then that the mighty lord Athalbrand does not fear war, since for ever

ather, "lest presently y

hey

heavy, and I sought Freydis

is war for a woman who is worth nothing, although she has hurt me sorely.

Olaf, for what is known

t," I said. "But how can

irgins, who know something of the mysteries? Yonder in his te

ike to hear the god spea

and hear

f before the image, her forehead laid upon its feet, and muttered runes. After a while she grew silent, and fear took hold of me. The place was large, and the feeble light of the lamp scarcely reached to the arched roof; all about me were great formless shadows. I felt that ther

t the voice that issued from them was not her own voice, but

nswer in the vo

the fate of him who stands b

gh the lips of Freydisa. Of this I was sure, for those of the statue

sword he stole from the dead, and in this sign shall conquer, since it prevails against us and makes our curse of none effect. Great sorrow shall he taste, and great joy. He shall throw away a sceptre for a woman's kiss, and yet gain a greater sceptre. Olaf, whom we

lowed by a silence so deep that

I said, "and of

ydisa. "I sought to know of you, Olaf, and

ut of the temple, I bearing the lamp and she resting on my arm. Near the door I turned

stood beneath the light of the friendly sta

r word. When I had

he Wandere

he held it against the

true, and that you, Olaf, and I are doomed to be joined in the same fate, whatever it may be, and with us some other who has wronged you, Steinar perchance, or Iduna herself. Well

of Lesso. I do not know when we sailed, but in my mind I can still see those ships creeping out to sea. In command of the first was Thorvald, my

her heart told her. Indeed, she wept bitterly, and cursed the name of Iduna the Fair, who had brought this trouble on her H

r you will return, wh

tain others are left behind," I answered. "Oh, t

that now," said Fre

each the ships on a sandy strand we knew, and rush to attack Athalbrand's hall, which we hoped to carry before men were well awake. It was a bold scheme and one full of dangers, yet we trust

e should sail to Fladstrand, burn the ships of Thorvald, my father, that he knew were fitting out upon the beach, which he hoped to find unguarded, or at most only watched by a few men, and then return to Lesso before he could be fallen upon. By ill luck he had c

brand's that were sailing abreast, while mine and that of Ragnar found themselves almost alongside of the others. On both sides the sails were let down, for none had any thought of flight. Some rushed to the oars and got enough of them out to work the ships. O

ir foes. My father, Thorvald's, vessel fared the worst, since it had an enemy on either bulwark. He boarded one and cleared it, losing many men. Then the crew of the other rushed on to

nd boarded Ragnar and was driven back. Then for the second time Ragnar boarded Athalbrand with those men who were left to him. In th

s skull in two, so that he died. But even as he fell, a man, it may have been friend or foe, for the moon was sinking and the da

them back again. In that charge it is true that I, Olaf, fighting madly, as was my wont when roused, killed three of the Lesso folk with the Wanderer's sword. Still I see them falling one by one. Followed by six of my people, I sprang on to the raised prow of Steinar's ship. Just then the grapnels parted, and there we were left, defending ourselves as

round the middle. We wrestled, but Steinar, who was the stronger, forced me back to the bulwarks and so overboard. Into the sea we went together just as the ship sank, drawing us down afte

ess Steinar were both drawn back to my

hip and one of Athalbrand's lay helpless, for all, or nearly all, their cr

in the best case, for here over twenty men were left unhurt, and

dragged from the sea with me. I thought that this man was dead till the first red

l, Steinar, look upon your work." And I pointed to the dead and

t me and asked i

, Olaf, that I f

so, St

laf. If I had known, never would

when you had already pierced my

Steinar moaned

time you have

so for a third time? Yet take comfort, for if

is not to be borne." And drawing a knife he w

ing, snatched it awa

safe. Also bring him drink

" grumbled the capt

ho lays a finger o

captain's ear, whereon he n

I had forgotten Odin and his sacrifice.

s and gave him ale and covered him with a

drew a cloak about me, for t

her ships and see wh

rowed to Ragnar's vessel,

?" I asked of one who

ight, have finished the game. They are all quiet yonder," he added, n

Ragnar?"

and see," ans

s it, fear gripping at my heart. Resti

ped. "I am glad you live, that the

ou mean, m

t, Olaf; we have won a great fight, and I travel to Valhalla with a glorious company of friends and foes, there to await you. I say that had I lived to be old, never could I have found a better death, who then at last might have died like a cow. Get the ships to Fladstrand, Olaf, and gather more men

have taken St

the bride-thief, Seiner the traitor. Swear it, for I do not trust this brother of mine, who has woman's milk in his breasts. By Thor, he might

th ships ros

ar not, Ragna

strange light! Olaf, you are not one of us. This time is not your time, nor this place your place. You

ong of blood and vengeance, and

horvald's, ships sixty were dead and many others wounded, some of them to death. Athalbrand's people had fared even worse, since those of Thorvald had slain their wounded, only one of his vessels having escaped back to Lesso, there to tell the people of that island and Iduna all that had happened. Now it was a land of widows and orphans,

she had moved thither before the sailing of the ships. When mine, the first of the

she said, "but where are

red, pointing to the ship

o they tarr

se they sleep and wi

is woe. Once only did she speak before she died, and then it was to bless me and pray that we might meet again, and to curs

ts subject lands. No one remained save my dark-browed uncle, Leif, the priest of Odin, Freydisa, the

of Odin had laid them before the oracle of the gods, and th

ost. Then on them we set the dead of Thorvald, Thorvald, my father, and his son Ragnar, my brother, bound to the mast upon their feet. This done, with great labour we dragged the ship on to high ground, an

emple of Odin at Aar, and there